Piranha Creeper

Template:Species-infobox Piranha Creepers are a variant of Piranha Plants that debuted in Super Mario 3D World. They are sustained by long spiked stems, which allow them to creep in and out of their burrows and move in the directions determined by their growth pattern. Piranha Creepers are larger than regular Piranha Plants and their heads are generally purple in color, making them similar to Prickly Piranha Plants.

History

Super Mario 3D World

Princess Peach approaching a Piranha Creeper

In Super Mario 3D World, Piranha Creepers usually appear in jungle themed levels, such as Piranha Creeper Creek and Deep Jungle Drift. They often live in holes in walls both on ground and underwater, but some even live in Poisoned Water and, like normal Piranha Plants, in Warp Pipes. They snake along the ground and even in the air in various patterns, going to and from their living spot. Some of them are found sleeping unless they are attacked, after which they pause before moving back to their previous position and resuming their rest. Their heads turn from purple to blue with green spots in this state.

To defeat Piranha Creepers, the player must attack the heads of the Piranha Plants to make them back up and smack against their living spot. A Ground Pound or dive attack with the Cat Mario power-up knocks them back further than a regular jump. Tapping on a Piranha Creeper's head on the sends them back to their hole, but they cannot be defeated in this way; the final hit must always be landed by one of the player's attacks. The player is hurt if they jump on the stem of a Piranha Creeper, but a stomp from the player using Cat Mario's Lucky Cat form defeats them instantly. Piranha Creepers release three coins upon being defeated. Unlike most enemies, Piranha Creepers are not defeated when the player touches the Goal Pole.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Piranha Creepers return in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, having the same functions as in Super Mario 3D World. They populate the level Turnip Cannon Jungle and can be attacked by falling on top of, spinning onto, or throwing a Turnip at their heads.

Mario Party: Star Rush

Piranha Creepers appear in the minigame Jump to Conclusion from Mario Party: Star Rush. They occupy several steps that the players have to climb in order to reach the finish, moving back and forth on them longwise. When a character jumps onto a Piranha Creeper, they are stunned for a moment before being able to move again.

Minecraft

In the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack of Minecraft, Shulkers and Lilacs are reskinned to resemble Piranha Creepers.

Mario Tennis Aces

In Mario Tennis Aces, sleeping Piranha Creepers can be seen lying around the Ancient Altar, where Petey Piranha is fought. They do not have any bearing on gameplay.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Piranha Creepers are mentioned briefly by Viridi during Palutena's Guidance dialogue for Piranha Plant.

Profiles and statistics

Mario Party: Star Rush

Image	Name	Bio
	Piranha Creeper A close relative of the Piranha Plant.	"They stretch out along stairs and other paths, creating a spiky obstacle for all who wish to pass by."

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Dutch	Piranha Creeper[?]	-
German	Kriech-Piranha[?]	Crawling Piranha
Italian	Pianta Serpiranha[?]	From "Pianta Piranha" (Piranha Plant) and "serpente" (snake)
Russian	Пиранья-выползок[?] Piran'ya-vypolzok	Piranha Creeper
Spanish (NOA)	Piraña reptante[?]	Creeper Piranha
Spanish (NOE)	Piraña Reptante[?]	Creeper Piranha